I Applied Banana Peel to My Face — The Results Were Surprising

Last updated on: February 2, 2026

If you spend even five minutes on TikTok or Instagram these days, you know beauty trends come and go faster than your morning coffee cools. Some are brilliant, and some… well, not so much. So when I kept seeing women rubbing banana peels on their faces and claiming they were getting brighter, clearer skin, I’ll be honest — I rolled my eyes.

But the curiosity won.

I wanted to know if something as simple as a banana peel could actually change your skin. So, like any woman who loves a good skincare experiment, I decided to try it myself for a full week. The results? Let’s just say I wasn’t expecting what happened.

Here’s everything you should know before you put a banana peel near your face.

Table of Contents

Why Banana Peels Are Suddenly Everywhere

Before I started, I wanted to understand the reason behind the trend. Banana peels contain:

Antioxidants
Vitamin C
Vitamin B6
Potassium
A bit of natural exfoliating fiber

These nutrients sound great for your skin, and they actually can be… to an extent. Some dermatologists say the antioxidants might help brighten your skin naturally. Others say the peels can irritate sensitive skin.

So if you’re thinking about trying this, it really depends on your skin type and how carefully you use it.

How I Prepared the Peel (Super Simple)

I started with a ripe yellow banana — not too brown, not too green. The inside of the peel is where all the good stuff is.

Here’s exactly what I did each day:

Washed the banana peel with water.
Cut a small piece from it.
Gently rubbed the soft inner part on my clean face.
Let the residue sit for 10–15 minutes.
Rinsed my face and moisturized.

It took maybe two minutes total. Very low effort, which I loved.

My Day-by-Day Experience

I kept notes every day so I could give you the most honest breakdown. Here’s exactly what happened.

Day 1 – “This feels… oddly nice?”

When I first rubbed the peel on my face, I thought it would feel slimy or gross. But surprisingly, it felt cooling and soft. It dried quickly, and my skin didn’t burn or tingle. After rinsing, my face felt normal — nothing dramatic yet.

But I did feel like I’d just done something good for my skin. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking.

Day 2 – A Little Glow?

On the second day, I noticed my cheeks looked slightly brighter. Not glowing like I’d used a $50 vitamin C serum, but just… healthier.

This made me curious. Was this working? Or was it just in my head?

Either way, I kept going.

Day 3 – Some Changes Around My Pores

Here’s where things shifted a bit. I noticed the skin around my nose looked smoother. The peel acted like a very gentle exfoliator, and my pores looked a little less obvious. Nothing dramatic, but it was noticeable to me — and that’s what counts.

My skin wasn’t irritated, which is honestly what I feared most.

Day 4 – I Started Looking Forward to It

I didn’t expect this part.

Using the banana peel actually became a calming little nighttime ritual. It was quick, easy, and felt natural. My skin looked a touch brighter, and I liked how soft it felt when I rinsed.

If you love simple routines, this might be something you enjoy too.

Day 5 – Okay, There’s Definitely a Glow

By day five I saw a real change.

My skin tone looked more even. The little dull areas around my mouth and chin looked brighter. My face wasn’t oily or sticky. And my cheeks had a soft, natural glow — the kind you get after drinking lots of water.

This is the moment I realized banana peels aren’t a silly TikTok trick after all.

Day 6 – No Breakouts, No Redness

One thing I was scared of was breaking out. DIY skincare isn’t always the safest.

But surprisingly, I had zero new pimples. My skin looked calm and happy. Even my tiny under-the-skin bumps looked like they were shrinking.

At this point, I was rooting for the banana peel.

Day 7 – My Final Day and My Honest Thoughts

By the last day, my skin looked:

Smoother
Brighter
Slightly clearer
More even in tone
Soft to the touch

Did I look like I just had a facial at a luxury spa? No.
Did my skin genuinely look better? Yes. 100%.

The biggest surprise? It was consistent. No irritation, no side effects, no dryness. Just a gentle improvement.

So… Should You Try It? Here’s My Honest Opinion

The Good Stuff:

Inexpensive (you probably already have bananas at home)
Natural
Quick
Brightens dull skin
Gently exfoliates
Gives a subtle glow

The Not-So-Good:

Not ideal for super sensitive skin
Results are mild, not dramatic
Must be used on clean, washed peels
Won’t replace your dermatologist-approved products

If your skin is sensitive or reactive, you should definitely patch test it first. Just rub a small amount inside your arm and wait 24 hours. If your skin is fine, you’re probably safe to try it on your face.

Dermatologist Thoughts (In Simple Words)

Experts say banana peels won’t hurt most skin types if you use them gently. They contain antioxidants that can brighten your skin, but they’re not miracle workers.

Think of banana peels like a natural, mild glow booster — not a replacement for retinol or vitamin C serums if you already use them.

My Final Verdict: Will I Keep Using Banana Peels?

Honestly? Yes — but not every day.

I’ll use them on days when my skin looks tired, dull, or stressed. It gives my face a nice, healthy lift, takes almost no time, and makes me feel like I’m doing something simple and natural for myself.

If you’re someone who loves home remedies, or you just want a tiny glow boost without spending a ton of money, this is definitely worth trying.

And even if the results are mild, there’s something lovely about taking a moment for yourself — even if it’s just you, your bathroom mirror, and a banana peel.